Kobe-Phil II was supposed to be a disaster in waiting. Their reciprocal effort to work together again viewed by many as a thin disguise to conceal genuine enmity.

But as Phil hoped, they have bonded by a mutual desire to succeed. Have grown past old disappointments and lingering bitterness to forge this new effort at attaining success.

Phil coached Michael Jordan – considered by most the greatest player of all time – to six NBA titles. Yet his admiration for Jordan has limits, at least when compared to the praise he offered this past Tuesday for Kobe.

“He's a remarkable athlete,” Phil said. “I think being in his 10th NBA season, there's some wear and tear that takes away a little bit of the athleticism that might have been there five years ago.

“So he knows that and he has to save himself for those times, and preps himself for games like no other athlete that I've had.”

Like no other athlete? Even his numerous detractors have to credit Kobe for the dedication to his game. To his training and desire and commitment.

“I'm just driven,” Kobe said. “If I go have a game where I get 15 points or 10 rebounds and 10 assists, and somebody says, 'Well, they shut him down.' And if I get 60 points, 'Oh, well, he didn't pass enough.'

“I just use all of that stuff and store it inside and use it as fuel to drive me to get me and this organization to get back on top.”

Kobe's 81 points is the second-highest to Wilt Chamberlain's NBA-record 100-point game set in 1962. Phil played against the legendary Chamberlain, yet clearly believes Kobe's is the greater achievement.

“The challenge is ... the perimeter play,” Jackson said. “(And) the fact that it was in an established NBA arena instead of a backyard arena in Hershey, Pa.

“I don't want to diminish anything Wilt did because he was a terrific individual player for the NBA, but this is certainly remarkable.”

Certainly, there are moments when Jackson rightly thinks Bryant puts up an ill-advised shot. For the Lakers to ultimately succeed, he recognizes the rest of the team has to become more routinely involved in the offense.

Surprise – just like Kobe.

Listen to what Jackson said this week: “We remind our players that (Jan. 22) was a special night, a needed situation. But we can't have that as a steady diet if we're going to accomplish what we're trying to accomplish as a basketball team.

“We'd like our team to grow a little bit and be a surprise team in the playoffs.”

Now listen to Bryant that same day: “The important thing is for us to continue to work to get shots out of our offense and not necessarily play an isolation game and just kicking the ball out to them and getting shots.

“I want us to elevate our game as a team to a level where we can go into the playoffs and be effective and surprise some people.”

They're even starting to sound like each other.

This is not to say it will always be smooth sailing for the two from now on. Jackson and Jordan were not always in sync. There will yet be moments.

But they are dependent upon each other to succeed and recognize it. The grand soap opera so many anticipated has not materialized.